In 1620, some Puritans took the ship Mayflower and left Holland for North America. In order to survive, the Pilgrims on the Mayflower needed a means of establishing and enforcing proper rules of conduct. Also they wanted to protect themselves from rebels within their own ranks. Before they reached the destination, one of the Pilgrim Fathers drew up an agreement which was called the Mayflower Compact and it was signed by 41 passengers. It was the first formal agreement for self-government in America, which established the foundation of the autonomous government.